Got a call from a mom last week whose baby was born May 6 and doing well
with breastfeeding.  When the baby was 5 to 8 days old, mom noticed
lumps in a breast with slight tenderness.  One lump got to be about the
"size of a small apple and the others were like large grapes."  She went
to her OB/GYN and was put on an antibiotic.  The mom never has felt
poorly - no fever, malaise, nausea, etc.

When mom called me, she had an appointment set up with the surgeon
because not much was changing with these lumps.  I suggested cabbage and
ibuprophen.  I've not ever dealt with breast abcesses or even severe
mastitis.  The baby has continued to nurse and do well.

The mom went to the surgeon on Friday and he removed alot of yellowish
thin fluid via needle aspiration from the largest lump after doing an
ultrasound.  He told her the others were just "plugged ducts."  She is
finished with the antibiotic, is to return to the surgeon tomorrow
(Monday), and thinks he may drain some more because the lump he drained
is still "larger than a walnut."  He will give her the pathology
results  and decide what to do next.

My questions:  Without fever, etc. do we call this a galactocele?  Will
the other lumps eventually go away?  What causes this in an
umcomplicated, seemingly normal early post partum course?  Will it be
likely to continue or repeat?  Etc......

I am really happy that the breastfeeding has gone uninterrupted and that
the surgeon was able to use a needle rather than an incision.  Any
further information on this situation would be appreciated.

Esther Oppliger, ARNP, IBCLC
Garden City, Kansas